Jenna Writes:
There are so many songs that keep me wondering for many different reasons! Narrowing it down was hard, but ultimately I chose these ones because of the deeper meaning in their lyrics. These are the kinds of songs that make me think, not just about the music itself, but about life. On the first listen, you might not fully get it. But when you come back to them, they linger. The lyrics sit with you, and it leaves you wanting more.
Much like real life, these songs aren’t always happy or purely positive. They capture the full range of human emotion, from mental health struggles, to dreams, to the quiet honesty of facing yourself. Each one gives me a reason to pause and reflect.
Briston’s lyrics are incredibly open and vulnerable. “Blink” by Moss is a song I deeply connect with, one I feel I truly understand. And “Dreams” by The Cranberries always transports me somewhere else entirely. These tracks hit even harder when I have my headphones on, I’m outside, and I allow myself to just sit with them.
Read about what makes Jenna wonder…
Otis Galloway Writes:
Let It Happen – Tame Impala
This song always stays with me. Kevin Parker wrote it while leaving Paris and leaving a relationship, essentially resetting his entire musical vision, and that context really resonates. Lyrically, it works on multiple layers. Musically, it’s fascinating – it starts as one kind of song, with a Supremes-style groove inspired by Keep Me Hanging On, then it fractures. The sequencer sounds like it’s malfunctioning, glitching and stuttering, before transforming into something else entirely.
For me, it mirrors life. Moving forward is terrifying and exciting at the same time. The song always leaves me thinking about change, about surrendering control, about the idea that sometimes the only real option is to let it happen and go with the flow
Leave in Silence – Depeche Mode
This track has stayed with me since I was a teenager. It’s from A Broken Frame, Martin Gore’s early songwriting, and there’s something about the phrasing that still hits me. It’s not even the literal meaning of the song – it’s the emotional weight of how it’s expressed.
At the time, I didn’t realize I was dealing with depression. I was trying to find my emotional center without knowing what to call what I was feeling. Depeche Mode meant a lot to me then, and Leave in Silence gave shape to emotions I couldn’t articulate. I still have a very deep emotional attachment to it. It continues to resonate in exactly the same way.
Read about what makes Otis wonder…
Andie Writes:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones – This was an instant add for me because it evokes this kind of mindset that there’s always something to look forward to that I’ll need way more instead of the things that I want or even want to happen. Things don’t always go as planned.
“You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need”
Some things may be better if they don’t work out, because then, you’ll actually realize it might’ve been what you needed all this time!
It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over by Lenny Kravits – I always love listening to this song at the end of a long day. Especially on bad days because it’s my reminder that it’s not the end of the world. It’s fine if today wasn’t a good day. A bad day is never a day thats wasted; just another plain day and I can start again tomorrow.
“How many times did we give up
But we always worked things out
And all my doubts and fear kept me wondering”
This is The Day by The The – A little contrast to the previous track, I’d often listen to this song to help start my day right. I always try to remind myself that when I wake up, it’s a completely new day and I have no idea what could possibly happen and that’s one of the best things in life. The song makes me realize that it could be the best day ever, but it also depends on how I choose to go with the flow of day and how to set my mindset.
“This is the day, your life will surely change
This is the day, when things fall into place”
Read about what makes Andie wonder…
Track Listing
- Twilight of the Innocents – Ash
- Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips
- I Understand It – Idlewild
- Our Velocity – Maximo Park
- Quicksand – David Bowie
- Too Much Kissing – Senseless Things
- Cannonball – The Breeders
- F.E.A.R. – Ian Brown
- Chaos Party – Briston Maroney
- Painkillers – Rainbow Kitten Surprise
- Blink – The Moss
- Dreams – The Cranberries
- Dancing Round My Problems – Reagan Beem
- Sit Down – James
- Stick Around – Medium Build
- Lost With You – Patrick Watson
- Roll Back – George FitzGerald, Lil Silva
- slow down – Forrest., Forrest Frank
- Leave in Silence – Depeche Mode
- Let It Happen – Tame Impala
- Cross Road Blues – Robert Johnson
- Lord, I’m Discouraged – The Hold Steady
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
- It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over – Lenny Kravitz
- This Is the Day – The The
Playlist Image by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
This playlist is part of The Human Collective. Each week we take a prompt and create a playlist and accompanying articles. This week we were looking at songs to keep you wondering. Learn more about The Human Collective here.
